Thieves swipe ATM

Police investigating gas station break-in

February 1, 2013

PARKERSBURG - Authorities are investigating a breaking and entering Thursday morning at a gasoline station where the thieves broke out the front doors and stole an automatic teller machine, Parkersburg police said.

They wrapped a chain around the ATM at the Certified at 1607 Dupont Road, pulled it loose, loaded it into a vehicle and drove away, Sgt. Greg Collins, department spokesman, said.

Officers responded at 2:24 a.m. to the gasoline station when an intrusion alarm was activated, Collins said. They found the front doors broken and no one around, he said.

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Photo ProvidedRubble remains after a breaking and entering Thursday morning at the Certified gasoline station at 1607 Dupont Road where the thieves wrapped a chain around an automatic teller machine and dragged it out of the store and put it into a vehicle, Sgt. Greg Collins of the Parkersburg Police Department said.

The video surveillance footage reveals a vehicle, possibly a SUV, backed up to the front doors of the store, Collins said. The glass was busted with multiple suspects entering the store, he said.

They loaded the ATM into the vehicle and left, possibly west on West Virginia 95. According to the time stamp on the surveillance footage, the crime was completed in less than two minutes, Collins said.

The incident may be the first of its kind in the area, Collins said.

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"I can't remember this ever happening before," he said.

A detailed analysis of the surveillance footage is under way, Collins said. Extensive damage was done to the front of the store and the amount of money taken is not being released, he said.

At least one vehicle may have driven by the store while the crime was in progress, Collins said. Witnesses can contact Detective J.M. Stalnaker or any member of the Parkersburg Police Department at 304-424-8444.